The Power of Deep Breathing: Benefits and How to Practice It
- Primal Fitness
- Aug 17, 2023
- 3 min read
In today's fast-paced world, stress is an inevitable part of our daily lives. One simple yet profound technique that can help alleviate this stress is deep breathing. It's a practice that's accessible to all, requires no equipment, and can be done anytime, anywhere.
What are the benefits to deep breathing?
1. Relieves Stress and Anxiety: Taking deep breaths stimulates our parasympathetic nervous system, helping to calm our minds and reduce feelings of anxiety.
2. Increases Oxygen Supply: Deep breathing brings more oxygen to our cells, improving overall function and energy levels.
3. Lowers Blood Pressure: The calming effect of deep breathing can help lower elevated blood pressure, promoting cardiovascular health.
4. Improves Focus: By centering our attention on our breath, we can achieve better clarity and concentration.
5. Enhances Emotional Regulation: Breathing deeply can assist in processing emotions and reducing negative reactions.
How to Practice Deep Breathing
1. Find a Quiet Place: While deep breathing can be done anywhere, starting in a quiet environment can help you focus on your breath.
2. Comfortable Position: Sit or lie down in a comfortable position, ensuring your back is straight.
3. Close Your Eyes: This helps to focus inward and avoid external distractions.
4. Breathe In Slowly: Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your abdomen to expand. Count to four as you breathe in.
5. Hold: Pause and hold your breath for a count of four.
6. Exhale Slowly: Release the breath through your mouth, counting to six as you breathe out. This longer exhalation is key to stimulating relaxation.
7. Repeat: Continue this cycle for several minutes or until you feel more calm and centered.
Incorporating deep breathing into your daily routine, even for just a few minutes, can offer significant benefits to both your physical and mental well being. Remember, it's a skill, and like any other skill, it gets better with practice. So, take a deep breath, relax, and embrace the calm!
While the basic principles of deep breathing remain consistent, there are various techniques that cater to different needs and preferences. Here are a few you can try:
.Box Breathing: This method involves equal time for each segment of the breath.
• Inhale for a count of 4.
• Hold the breath for a count of 4.
• Exhale for a count of 4.
• Pause and keep the lungs empty for a count of 4.
• Repeat.
4-7-8 Breathing: This technique is renowned for its calming effect.
• Inhale quietly through your nose for a count of 4.
• Hold your breath for a count of 7.
• Exhale forcefully through your mouth, pursing your lips and making a “whoosh”
sound, for a count of 8.
• This completes one breath. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times.
Diaphragmatic Breathing: This focuses on engaging the diaphragm, the primary muscle responsible for breathing.
• Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen.
• Inhale slowly through your nose, ensuring your diaphragm inflates enough to cause your
abdomen to rise more than your chest.
• Exhale slowly through your mouth or nose.
Alternate Nostril Breathing: Originating from yogic traditions, this technique balances both sides of the brain.
• Start in a comfortable seated position.
• Close off your right nostril using your right thumb and inhale through your left nostril.
• Close off your left nostril using your right ring finger, open your right nostril, and exhale.
• Inhale through the right nostril and then switch to close it off and exhale through the left.
• Continue for several rounds, finishing with an exhale on the left side.
Here are a few examples you can try out.
Experiment with each technique to find the one that feels most beneficial and comfortable for you. Remember that the most important part is to focus on your breath and create a moment of mindfulness.
Comments